Shopping in Orlando, USA
Taking a moment to shop is something that is never missing in the itinerary of Brazilians visiting Orlando – after all, the city is great for that. Orlando has shopping malls, outlets and stores with tourist-themed products. The variety of stores is incredible, the prices are great and you will probably be back on a trip with more purchases than you thought!
For those thinking about buying, it is interesting to book a day or two on the shopping itinerary. Those who don’t have a lot of time can then use those nights when visiting parks that close early to end the day at an outlet. A good strategy is to go shopping on weekends, as these are days when the parks are full.
And if Orlando is all about the parks, shopping starts with them. All parks have stores with themed products, clothing, mugs, toys, plush, decorative items; some products are more traditional and others go far beyond what we can imagine. You can return from your trip with a wand like Harry Potter or beans of all flavors, with a Minion-shaped mug, a Mickey kettle… there is so much variety of products that we are impressed – just looking at believe.
All the parks you visit will have stores with thematic products linked to the themes of each one. In addition to the products sold within the parks, you can find a good range of stores in entertainment complexes, such as Universal CityWalk and Downtown Disney, which have the advantage of free access. Disney really excels at “shopping” and in its entertainment complex you will find stores with Christmas products, character-shaped sweets, as well as the Disney Store (don’t lose sight of this store, because it has everything!).
One more reason for shopping in Orlando is that the city has two Premium Outlets and they are centrally located and easy. Outlets are those stores that sell products from previous collections at a discount; are a must for anyone looking to save money! The outlets do not have the latest clothing from the brand and do not always have the products in many sizes or colors, but they are incredible, with many products and great prices! Note that outlet stores often have a different nomenclature in the title; for example, there is the GAP store, which has regular prices, and the GAP Factory Store, which sells cheaper products.
In Orlando, there is a Premium Outlet on International Drive and another on Vineland Ave. Both have similar stores, always with great prices. There you can find stores like Levi’s Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Asics Outlet, GAP Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Hugo Boss Factory Store, among others.
For those who want to find stores with the newest collections, the tip is to go to conventional shopping malls. The Mall at Millenia is modern and beautiful, with several famous designer stores; it is a place to find that brand that is successful and luxurious products. Florida Mall has many good stores, interesting prices and several anchor stores, such as Sears, Macy’s and Forever 21. Less popular, Altamonte Mall is ideal for shopping with peace of mind. As it is further away from the tourist area, it does not receive a large audience from outside; although not very large, Altamonte’s strong point is that its stores are not full, as in other shopping centers.
If you intend to visit a mall or outlet, always take a look at the establishment’s website before going to the place. By registering on the website you can print discount coupons, which make shopping even more advantageous. It is also worthwhile to inquire with the customer service center in each of the malls, as booklets with discount coupons are sometimes available. If coupons are an alternative to save money, maps are time-saving! The tip is to get a map as soon as you arrive at the shopping center and then mark which stores you intend to visit; that way, assemble your itinerary without getting lost and knowing where that store you want to go is.
Famous chain stores in the United States are present in Orlando and are a good choice for shopping. Best Buy is indicated to purchase electronics; Ross Dress for Less and Marshalls are perfect for those who are patient and want to find products at unbelievable prices. For general shopping, be sure to visit Walmart and Target, which are like mega markets, where you can find a little bit of everything.
Miami or Orlando? It is not uncommon for those who visit Orlando to also go to Miami; then the question arises: do I shop in Orlando or Miami? Both cities have practically equal prices inside stores and in outlets; what differs in the final price of the product is the tax. In Miami, 7% tax is charged on the value of products, while in Orlando this rate is 6.5%. It may seem like an insignificant difference, but after spending a lot of dollars, it is not so simple. Another reason that people go shopping in Orlando and not in Miami is that in Orlando stores tend to be much more empty and outlets are more centralized.
Tips:
Try to travel with an idea of what numbering you wear and pants in the United States; this makes it easier to find and try a product. That way, you don’t have to take so many clothes to the fitting rooms, which usually limit 6 pieces at a time per customer.
On the day of shopping, try to wear comfortable clothes and shoes that allow you to walk a lot without causing discomfort. Easy-to-take clothes are welcome, as there will always be a need to change clothes in the changing rooms.
After spending the day shopping, people end up having lots of bags to carry – it’s inevitable. Thinking about comfort when shopping, take a suitcase or backpack to malls and outlets to put your bags. If you prefer, look for a luggage store in the mall and buy your bag there.
Avoid leaving bags with your purchases inside cars in parking lots, as they can be stolen. Also, avoid leaving your shopping bags without care or supervision.
Ross Dress for Less
Buying clothes and saving is something that almost everyone who travels to the United States wants. And those who have this goal need to know about Ross Dress for Less, a store that sells products at incredible prices. Ross stores are usually huge and have a very wide range of products – women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes, bags, backpacks, bed and bath items, among others.
The store’s “problem” is that, as it sells high-end products, they are usually not available in many sizes or color options. What you see in the macaws is ready and ready. Another point to consider is that it is necessary to make a real dig to find what you want, because it is not in a quick glance that you will find incredible products. To find cool things you have to look, be patient, experiment and dedicate time.
Ross stores tend to be quite messy throughout the day, due to the movement of people fiddling with macaws; therefore, our tip is that you go in the morning, when more products are available for sale and everything is more organized. Give preference to stores of this type in places of less movement, instead of looking in big shopping centers.
Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores
Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is a shopping center close to Disney. The place has high-end stores and products at great prices, as in Premium Outlets. As it is outside the tourist circuit that visitors most frequent, it is a much more peaceful place to shop, with few queues and no confusion of people. It has far fewer stores than Premium outlets, but it is still a great alternative for those who want to save money and buy good products.
The place has stores like Aéropostale Outlet, Calvin Klein, Converse, GAP Outlet, Levi’s Outlet Store, Nike Factore Store, Reebok, Sansonite Factory Store, Timberland and several others. Take a look at the location map and in its stores; thus, you can know if the stores he has are the ones you want to visit.
For those who are at Disney, this shopping center is a great choice, because it is about 5km away.
Orlando International Premium Outlets
Orlando Premium Outlets is an Orlando shopping center made up of outlets, stores that sell products from old collections with prices that are much more advantageous than conventional stores. These are places with incredible prices, where you can find quality products and great prices. Ideally, you should dedicate at least one day to the outlet, because it is large and has many stores – a good strategy is to go to the outlets on the weekends, when some parks are very full, or visit them at night, on the days when you go to parks that close early.
There are two Premium Outlets in Orlando: one is on International Drive, near Universal; another, on Vineland Ave, closer to the Sea World and Disney parks. Both have practically the same stores, but the I-Drive Premium is a little bigger, with more stores and is usually more crowded, because it is in a more popular area. Vineland Ave. Premium has about 160 stores and I-Drive has about 180 stores. If you are in doubt as to which Premium Outlet to go to, look at the stores from one and the other, so you can know exactly what will find in each of the places.
The mall is open-air; therefore, if it is raining, get ready to get a little wet. Locating yourself in the place is easy, because although it is large, it basically has two main corridors (see a map here). Look for the information center, or ask a store for a map of the mall, because it makes it much easier to find and select the stores you want to visit.
International Drive’s Premium Outlet has stores like: Adidas, Aeropostale, Asics Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Champion, Columbia Sportswear, Converse, DKNK, Ecko Unltd, Forever 21, Gap Factory Store, Guess Factory Store, Hugo Boss Factory Store, Hurley, Kate Spade New York, Levi’s Loft, Michael Kors, Nautica, Nike Factory Store, The North Face, Oakley Vault, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Puma, Quicksilver, Reebok, Ted Baker London, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, US Polo, Volcom and others. Click here to see all Premium I-Drive stores.
Tip: By registering on the Premium Outlets website you can receive coupons by e-mail to get discounts in stores. Another alternative is to buy the booklet with discount coupons at the outlet itself.
Pointe Orlando
Pointe Orlando is an open-air shopping center with shops, restaurants and bars. The place is good for shopping, but its main feature is the presence of restaurants and entertainment spots. More than a shopping center that focuses on stores, the place is sought after to enjoy the nightlife and to dine.
For those who focus on shopping, it is necessary to know that the stores are not many, but they are usually quite empty, as the place is not so visited. There you will find stores like Hollister, Armani Exchange, Tommy Hilfiger and Victorias Secret’s (see the complete list of stores here).
If you want to dine or enjoy the night, the options are more numerous; at Pointe Orlando there are B.B.King Blues Club, Johnny Rockets, Blue Martini, Monkey Joe’s and movie theaters.
Altamonte Mall
Altamonte Mall is a mall in Altamonte Springs, close to Orlando, about 30 km from International Drive. It is not as big as the other Orlando malls and many tourists end up not visiting it, but what makes it different is that it is not so crowded, so you can do your shopping more smoothly, without so much turmoil or queues in shops.
It is possible to find stores with great prices and, because there are fewer people, the variety of products found can be greater. If you are looking for a product that is difficult to find in the most popular shopping malls, going to Altamonte Mall is a good alternative to find it.
This mall has stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, Aéropostale, Apple, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble, Champs, Coach, Foot Locker, Forever 21, GAP, H&M, Hollister, MAC, Sunglass Hut, Victoria Secret’s, in addition to the huge Sears, Macy’s, JC Penney and Dillard’s. See all Altamonte stores here.
The mall has two floors and two main corridors. The best way to reach it is by car, but we advise you to see exactly where the car was left, because the parking lot is huge and you may end up getting confused inside.
Best Buy
Electronics are products that many people buy in the United States due to the low price, compared to Brazil; to buy products of this type, one of the best options is Best Buy. The American chain sells cameras, televisions, computers, notebooks, video games, games, accessories and a lot of other things for a very good price. Its stores are usually huge and offer a huge variety.
The store is present in several cities in the United States, including Orlando. Our tip for those who want to buy at Best Buy is to look on the company’s website if what you want to buy is actually sold at the store. Best Buy usually has many products and is a giant company in this sector, but specific devices and models are not always found.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is like a beauty salon for girls. The place is perfect for children who love Disney princesses, as they are decorated like real fairytale princesses there. The employees do hairstyles, makeup and the girls can still leave the store dressed up. For those who have daughters who like Disney princesses, it’s a really cool experience.
The game is not very cheap, but it is worth it for those who want to offer their daughters a special moment. Make sure to make a reservation, as it is essential!
Burlington
Burlington Coat Factory is a chain of department stores that can yield good acquisitions. In it you will find clothes for men, women and children, as well as shoes, accessories, bags, bags, watches, glasses etc.
Burlington stores are usually large and you will spend hours inside shopping. It sells products from several brands, its prices are better than conventional stores and there are quality products, including famous brands.
Here is also a tip for getting there early. In the morning, the macaws are organized and, as time goes by, the clothes are all messed up.
Marshalls
Marshalls is a chain of department stores with a line similar to that of Ross Dress for Less and TJ Maxx. It sells pieces from several brands (including famous brands) at prices lower than those practiced by conventional stores, in addition to kitchen items, bed, table, bath, children’s clothes, shoes, etc. Sometimes their prices are even better than outlets.
In this type of department store you will find clothes from past collections or stocks left over in stores; there is not much variety of color or size. Finding something at Marshalls takes time, patience and a little luck, so it is not the type of purchase that appeals to everyone. Macaws tend to be overturned and untidy, so research is really necessary until you find something you like and that fits your body.
Tip: try to visit the store as soon as it opens, when there is a greater variety of pieces, less people buying and, consequently, less queues. Give preference to stores that are outside large, more isolated shopping centers, which possibly have a smaller audience.
Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets
Orlando Premium Outlets is an Orlando shopping center made up of outlets – stores that sell products from old collections at prices much more advantageous than conventional stores. They are places with incredible prices, where you can find quality products at a tempting price! The ideal is that you dedicate at least one day to the outlet, because it is large and has many stores, but a good strategy is to go to the outlets on weekends, when some parks are very full, or visit them at night, in days when visiting parks that close early.
There are two Premium Outlets in Orlando: one is on International Drive, near Universal; the other, on Vineland Ave, closer to Sea World and Disney parks. Both have practically the same stores, but there are some slight differences: the I-Drive outlet is a little bigger and has more stores. If you are in doubt about which one to go, look at the stores in one and the other, so you can know exactly what you will find in each place.
Most of the Premium is outdoors, it is not an indoor location. It is an excellent shopping mall and the layout of the stores is not complicated. Note that there is a pavilion at the outlet that is separate and, if you don’t pay attention to it, you may end up forgetting to visit it. To facilitate commuting, put a map as soon as you arrive and mark which stores you are interested in visiting (see a map here ).
At Premium Vineland Ave you can find stores such as: American Eagle, Asics Outlet, Banana Republic Factoy Store, Burberry, Calvin Klein, CH Carolina Herrera, Converse, Diane Von Furstenberg, Diesel, DKNY, Fendi, Forever 21, GAP Factory Store, Guess Factory Store, Hugi Boss Factory Store, Michael Kors, Nautica, Nike Factory Store, The North Face, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Prada, Puma, Reebok, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger and many others. Check out all the Premium Outlet Vineland Ave stores here.
Tip: By registering on the Premium Outlets website you can receive emails with discount coupons to use in stores. Another option is to buy the book at the outlet itself.
TJ Maxx
TJ Maxx is another department store that sells products at lower prices than conventional stores. It offers a wide range of items, including footwear, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing; towels, sheets, hair products, bags, accessories and more.
Their pieces are more limited, when compared to regular stores, but in compensation their prices are much better. This is not the type of store that everyone likes to visit, as they are often disorganized and require patience until you find what you want.
Didn’t find what you want at TJ Maxx? Go to Ross Dress for Less or Marshalls, similar stores that also have good prices. Try to visit these department stores in the morning to find them less cluttered.
Target
Target competes with Walmart and is a supermarket where you can find almost everything: electronics; clothes; bed, bath and table items; cosmetics; hygiene products; decorative articles; furniture, etc. The store has very good prices and a huge variety of products – ideal for those who want to find a little bit of everything in the same place.
Sometimes Target has better prices than Walmart; it is worth keeping an eye on the company’s website to get an idea of values. Their stores are given a different classification when they are very large: Super Target.
The Florida Mall
Florida Mall is one of the best places to shop in Orlando. The mall is closed, which guarantees that even on rainy days you can do your shopping in peace. This mall is very traditional in Orlando and has more than 260 stores; it is large, offers an incredible variety of stores and allows you to find good deals, which are accentuated on promotion days.
A positive point of shopping malls in relation to outlets is that in conventional stores you usually find clothes in more models and sizes, and these conditions are more limited in stores that sell stocks. Its prices may not be as incredible as the prices of outlets, but they are really good – and if you have a must-see mall in Orlando, it’s probably the Florida Mall.
In Florida you can find stores like: Abercrombie, Aéropostale, Apple, Aldo, Banana Republic, Champs, Coach, Clarks, Crocs, Fossil, GAP, Godiva, Guess, H&M, Hollister, Kilpling, Lids, Loft, MAC, Michael Kors, Microsoft, Nine West, Oakley, Pink, Puma, Quicksilver, Rolex, Sephora, Zara etc. In addition, he has mega stores like Forever 21, H&M, Macy’s and Sears.
The Mall At Millenia
The Mall at Millenia is a sophisticated Orlando mall. The mall has beautiful, modern architecture, with careful decoration and lots of glass, in addition to stores of some of the most famous brands in the world. In this mall you will find the launches of the latest collections and luxury items. It is not exactly the best place for those who want to save money, because it has designer stores and are not high-end stores. In eventual moments of promotion, prices are more affordable.
Going to the Mall at Millenia is a great option for rainy days, to do some shopping or even eat at one of its restaurants, like the Cheesecake Factory. Its access is easy for those in Orlando and it is about 7km from the north area of I-Drive. Although it is a mall with many fine brands, there are not only expensive stores at Mall at Millenia; there are stores with normal and affordable prices too.
The mall has brands like Abercrombie, Aldo, Anthropologie, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Boss Store, Cartier, Chanel, Coach, Diesel, Emporio Armani, Forever 21, Godiva, Guess, J. Crew, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade New York, Kiehl’s, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, MAC, Michael Kors, Montblanc, Omega, Prada, Rolex Boutique, Saint Laurent, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sephora, Sony, Swarovski, Uban Outfitters, Versace and others. Check here the complete list of stores.
Tip: Mall at Millenia also has coupons that can offer store discounts; present your passport at the concierge to obtain them.
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart is a supermarket chain that is still not so widespread in Brazil, but in the United States, it is a giant in the sector and has huge stores. Visiting a supermarket on a trip to the country is an excellent opportunity to buy products at low prices.
Hygiene and body care articles, cosmetics, diapers, toys, treats, sunscreen, vitamins and many other things have great prices at Walmart and yield a lot of savings. In Orlando, it is possible to find Disney-related products (including clothes) at the supermarket, at a price much lower than that practiced in the theme parks.
Walmart has a multitude of products, of different types. It is so cool inside that you will probably leave the store with more purchases than you had in mind when entering.
Some stores are open 24 hours a day and are a great option for those who do not have free time to shop during the day.